About this project

Hello! We are A4 Studios; a not-for-profit group set up by 4 creatives from different backgrounds.

We are making affordable studio space for creatives in the North West area of the U.K, with a main goal to provide spaces for artists with disabilities and those on low incomes.

We want to become the Arts disability hub of the North-West with the best contemporary gallery in the area, offering opportunities for emerging and early career artists.

But we need your help! Affordable studio space with full disabled access is very hard to find, so with this in mind we have sourced a suitable building with fantastic transport links. We have drawn up a floor plan and developed a sustainable 5 year business plan.

Now we need your help to make this happen. this Kickstarter is for phase 1 of a 4 phase project that is being funded through private investment, grant assistance and donations, and you guys can play a vital role in making this project happen

Snapshot of the building currently

Our building is of local historical interest and is in desperate need of renovation. Your donations will help us secure the building and start the necessary renovation works to restore the building and redevelop the internal space to create the disabled access studios and create the space needed for public use.

Our plans include larger than average studios, disability toilets and to ensure all entrances, corridors and studios are wheelchair accessible.

Current Floor Plan

Your donations will put us well on our way creating 27 studios (21 of which are wheelchair accessible), 2 fully accessible galleries spaces and 1 large creative space which can be used for performances, large scale installations and events.

This project will allow us to set up a rolling programme of exhibitions, a series of monthly workshops and to host open studio events throughout the year.

Our workshops would be catered for everyone in the community but we will also have art therapy workshops aimed at socially isolated individuals and those with disabilities to improve on health and well-being. We would also host platforms for emerging local talents to perform their craft to increase confidence and personal development.

Studios for artists of all abilities

This type of facility is sorely needed; with studio closures happening across Manchester, an increase of students studying art, on top of this there are a very limited number of facilities that provide for the disabled. We will be one of the only venues in the North West that provide for the growing need of accessible space but we cannot do it without you!

We are hugely thankful for any help you can give to help us achieve our goal and you would be helping us bring a much needed service to both artists and the wider community.

Breakdown of Costs

As you can see something as simple as a plasterboard cost as much as £5, but its not just building materials we are in need of.

This campaign will assist us in Phase 1 of our plans this includes the construction of the first 7 studios allowing tenants who are already waiting to take up residence. The funds raised will be combined with funds from other sources and used to purchase building materials and tools to complete Phase 1. The time scale for phase 1 is 4 weeks from start to finish.

During phase 1 we will be raising funds through kick starter and other sources to complete Phase 2 and 3. Phase 4 is to be completed in 2018.

Whilst this phase is being completed we will be hosting a large contemporary installation art exhibition in the main body of the building. This exhibition will feature up to 12 international emerging artists and will hopefully be open to the public from April 2017.

Rewards

Every donation no matter how large or small will get a heartfelt 'Thank You' from the team on our dedicated friends of A4 Studios webpage, as well as one of the rewards listed as a way of spreading the word for A4 Studios Ltd.

Examples of our rewards.

Let your Creative side out!

Unleash your inner doodler.

Our free fashionable t-shirt

Note: Final results may differ.

Other ways you can help

Please spread the word to your network, family and friends and follow us on social media:

http://a4studios.co.uk

Risks and challenges

One challenge we face is getting to 100% occupancy of the studios.

However recent and planned closures of large studio complexes in the area to develop their premises into residential and other major studio complexes in the locality having waiting lists of up to two years, we are confident that these industry trends are creating a massive need for the facilities we are providing and confidently forecast 100% occupancy as early as year 2.

We are able to provide the facilities needed to become a major part of our community and provide the extra attraction of outstanding disability access.

One other benefit we have to negate the occupancy risk is the fact that we can generate enough income to make the project self sustaining on just 80% occupancy.

Another challenge would be the construction of the studios, including soundproofing and setting up each studio with the facilities they need.

We currently have a structured plans that cover all aspects of the build and we have researched multiple construction techniques and materials which will allow the studios to be both structurally secure whilst allowing flexibility for us to move the walls to resize the spaces as and when required.

Our team consists of various individuals who come from different backgrounds but who bring a strong set of skills to the table. We have two skilled technicians, a business manager with over 25 years of experience with start up businesses, a seasoned builder with experience of multi-million pound contracts, an experienced freelance curator, a managing director of 2 companies, 2 MA art graduates and an evaluation assistant. Collectively, we have enough skills, experience and expertise to rise to the challenge presented.

Support this project

Select this reward

Pledge £5 or more
About $6

A sheet of Drywall (Plasterboard)

A donation of £5 (Approx $6) is the equivalent of 1 sheet of drywall, this project uses over 500 sheets of drywall in phase 1, that's over £2500 + VAT of drywall alone. Don't forget there are hundreds more materials needed to make this build happen so every £ will be spent wisely.

Each £5 donation will receive a loving mention you on our website thank you wall

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £10 or more
About $12

Let there be light

A £10 (Approx $12) donation will provide a state of the art LED lighting tube to help shine light on the creativity of our residents. There are over 65 individual lighting units each taking 4 light tubes, that's over £2,600 + VAT needed just in LED lighting tubes and we will need some spares.

Each £10 donation will receive an A4 Studios branded pack of colourful pencils and a loving mention on our website thank you wall.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £25 or more
About $30

Comfortably learning new thing

Each £25 (Approx $30) donation could provide a workshop session for an individual, once the building works are complete, so as well as learning; each £25 donation could provide a wall heater to keep them warm. We need 34 heaters to ensure our spaces are usable all year round that's a build cost of £850 + VAT for heaters, + the running costs.

Each £25 donation will receive an A4 Studios branded pad and pen set to help spread the word of A4 Studios and a loving thank you on our website.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £50 or more
About $61

Lock it up safely

For each £50 (Approx $70) donation our residents can keep their spaces secure as each donation could be used to buy a door and everybody needs a door sometimes. Phase 1 of this build needs 34 doors that's £1700 + VAT just on doors. Don't forget there are hundreds more materials needed to make this build happen so every £ will be spent wisely.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £100 or more
About $122

Every penny spent

£100 (Approx $120) buys us a disabled toilet, don't be shy though as we need to buy a lot more than disabled toilets, there are sinks, taps, even a shower unit to buy and plumbing doesn't come cheap and there are hundreds more materials needed to make this build happen so every penny will be spent wisely.

Each £100 donation receives our all exclusive A4 Studios items; the pencils, the pad and pen and the 'T' Shirt, and of course our loving thank you on our website wall.